PICK OF THE MONTH
Polar Bear Plunge
January 20th
Sometimes to rally the whole family together to have a little fun, you need to amp up the cool meter. The Polar Bear Plunge certainly does that, no pun intended. This family-friendly event is perfect for kids, teens and fun-loving adults who long for a bit of winter without the long and stressful drive on snowy or icy roads to the mountains.
At this annual Mission Viejo event, you’ll get a taste of winter and summer. Folks can have fun getting into snowball fights with 180 gallons of artificial snow as well as going down a water slide and playing in a pool. The afternoon also features carnival games, wintery photo opps and treats like hot chocolate and snow cones.
It is a unique way to celebrate all the seasons, all in one close-to-home spot. (You can also enter to win free guest passes and a 1-month family membership to the Recreation Centers!) Visit its website for ticketing information. Try it and you’ll soon discover there IS a snowball’s chance your kids will get off their holiday-gifted new devices and tune in to the family for a change!
Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center
26887 Recodo Lane, Mission Viejo
949-859-4348, option 3
cityofmissionviejo.org/recreation
Discovery Days at Centennial Farm
January 19
Kids can discovery what life is like on the farm at a Discovery Day. Among the possible barnyard activities are planting a radish seed that children can take with them, petting baby chicks, and learning about livestock animals. Sometimes there will even be a cow milking demonstrations. Please arrive before 11 am, so you can have enough time to see everything. Adults must supervise children at all times. Reservation information is available online.
Centennial Fair, OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa
www.ocfair.com
Festival Of India
January 7
This free family festival will be highlighted by a lineup of memorable performances. World-renowned choreographer Ramya Harishankar and her Arpana Dance Co. will perform dances from various parts of India. Sadubas (aka The Sadhus of Bass) fashions psychedelic soundscapes by blending classical Indian rhythms with ‘70s Bollywood vibes. Tabla artist Robin Sukhadia teams with DJ/producer Ameet Mehta to create a sound drawn from both Bollywood funk and Indian Classical music. The day also includes art projects, face painting and special Indian sweets.
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana
714-480-1520
www.bowers.org
Tall Ship Tour
January 17 – January 31
Here’s your chance to take a tour of this tall ship, Lady Washington, while this replica square-rigged brig is docked at the Ocean Institute. It’s a cool way to learn about America’s Pan-Pacific trading history following the American Revolution. Tours occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm on weekdays and at 10:30 am and 11:30 am on weekends; no tours are scheduled on Mondays. On January 20-21, 27-28, you can also participate in mock cannon battles; check the Institute’s website for more details.
Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
949-496-2274
ocean-institute.org
Whistling White House Wonderland
January 2 – January 7
The holiday display of model trains has returned to the Nixon Presidential Library after a three-year absence. The six-track layout, with more than 50 feet of rails, contains a North Pole train station, a Fifties town, a Midwestern farm, a smokestack factory, and the all-metal Hell Gate Bridge. Running on the tracks will be numerous model trains evoking Christmas past as well as a Thomas the Tank Engine.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library And Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda
714-993-5075
nixonfoundation.org
***Occasionally an event listed changes date or location after printing. Always phone ahead to confirm information. Get your event listed! Email editor@parentingoc.com. Include the name of the event, date, time, address, short description, appropriate age range, fee, phone number and photos.
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